Ne-Yo Picks Drake And Prince As Ideal Singing Show Judges

As the X Factor and The Voice close in on their big winners this week, Ne-Yo drafts the ideal candidates for singing show judges.

Last week Billboard reported that L.A. Reid will be vacating his X Factor judgeship after this season to focus on the business of making records. While his X Factor signees have struggled to capitalize off their buzz, his work as a judge did not go unnoticed.

“I would definitely go with an executive that’s been around and knows,” Ne-Yo told CBS Local, when asked about his dream judge panel. “It would have to be an L.A. Reid or Clive Davis.”

But Ne-Yo didn’t stop with seasoned record men, he added artists to his roster of fantasy judges as well.

“[I would pick] an artist that stood the test of time that has reached an iconic status, has been through the wringer, and knows the good and bad and the ugly of this business. So I would go with Janet Jackson or Prince.”

“My third choice would be somebody that’s making noise right now,” he continued, “like a Drake. Drake is carving out his own niche as far as being able to do the singing and rapping successfully.”

After some deliberation of his own, he chose his final three: “Clive Davis, Prince and Drake.”

In September, Ne-Yo offered his advice as a guest mentor on X Factor UK alongside judge and former Pussycat Dolls front woman Nicole Scherzinger. But he’s not the only R&B star who has had a take on competition judges.

“I could totally see myself as a judge on one of the reality shows,” Faith Evans told CBS Local earlier this year. ”Out of the three—American Idol, X-Factor and The Voice—I think [I would choose] The Voice, if I had a choice, of course, if they were all waiting for me.”

This week, The Voice and X Factor will be picking winners for the season.